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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Sep 1:292:242-254.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.109. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom among college students during COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis

Jun-Jie Chang  1 , Yan Ji  2 , Yong-Han Li  1 , Hai-Feng Pan  3 , Pu-Yu Su  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom among college students during COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis

Jun-Jie Chang et al. J Affect Disord. .

Abstract

Background: The global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought huge changes to people's lifestyles, college students have also been affected seriously. Evidence about these significant changes indicated that college students were more prone to feel anxious and depressed. To derive a precise assessment of the prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom among college students worldwide, we conducted this meta-analysis.

Methods: Based on the guidance of PRISMA, literature was searched in Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycArticles (last search November 6, 2020). These articles after the screening were analyzed by a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom. Also, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were performed in this meta-analysis.

Results: The results showed that the pooled anxiety symptom prevalence was 31% (95% CI: 23-39%), pooled depressive symptom prevalence was 34% (95% CI: 27-41%). Subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom among different countries' college students were different, and the pooled depressive symptom prevalence of females was higher compared with males.

Limitations: The prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom in worldwide college students could be better assessed by a standard and reliable questionnaire.

Conclusions: The results suggest that the prevalence of anxiety symptom and depressive symptom during the COVID-19 pandemic is relatively high. Except for interventions that should be taken to control the pandemic urgently, mental health services are also needed to decrease the risk of anxiety and depression among college students.

Keywords: Anxiety symptom; College student; Depressive symptom; Meta-analysis; The COVID-19 pandemic.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the progress of acquiring the qualified literature and studies included in the meta-analysis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Quality rating of included studies using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. * The first letter of the first author, the order is consistent with Table l.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The pooled prevalence of anxiety symptom.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The pooled prevalence of depressive symptom.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Subgroup analysis based on assessment tools for estimating anxiety symptom.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Subgroup analysis based on assessment tools for estimating depressive symptom.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
subgroup analysis based on different countries for estimating anxiety symptom.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
subgroup analysis based on different countries for estimating depressive symptom.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
(a): Sensitivity Analysis of pooled prevalence of anxiety symptom. (b): Sensitivity Analysis of pooled prevalence of depressive symptom.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
(a): Egger's regression test of anxiety symptom. (b): Egger's regression test of depressive symptom.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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